Halloween Week Birding

A year ago today we had some birding fun with the remnants of Hurricane Sandy.  Many of us crazy birders parked at the Sarnia Lakewatch spot.  All kinds of gulls, ducks and geese were seen!  250+ Brant topped the list as well as kittiwakes, Sabine's Gulls and many other gulls.

Brant flock

Possibly it was once in a lifetime experience!

This year it has been mediocre up there.  Most of October was not too good for jaegers and gulls.  On Monday, a few things were seen including a female King Eider.  Luckily, I was heading to Sarnia in the afternoon anyway, so I managed to see it.  Not sure if it was seen today even though some were looking.
Every once in a while we get an eider there, but the few I have seen have all been female King's!
Also seen Monday were a couple of jaegers and at least three Little Gulls.  I did see one second cycle Little Gull Monday afternoon.  Also a Thayer's type gull.
Hopefully early November will be more productive at the lakewatch.




I made a quick  trip out to Mitchell's Bay this evening.  Days are getting way too short, so I did not see much.  Lots of sparrows along the trail.  A single Great Egret was on "Godwit Point".  The last date I have for the Magos is October 20.

Looking forward to checking out Rondeau this Saturday.  The campground is closed to campers, and this time of year is good for passerines there.  Yesterday a Common Raven was seen flying over.  I had one a couple of weeks ago just south of the campground.

Birding the Lake Huron Shoreline Grand Bend to Kettle Point

I joined in with the OFO field trip today.  It was a fun day with good birds, good weather and good friends.
As we gathered in the Sobey's parking lot in Grand Bend, Common Loons were migrating overhead--an indication that loons were on the move today.
We started at the Grand Bend waterfront and the lake was fairly active.  We had close to 50 Common Loons high overhead ( a few close to the water).  Some smaller ones appeared to be Red-throated.  I picked out two or three Red-necked Grebes flying south just above the water too.
Quite a few scoters were moving today, especially Black.  We saw many Black Scoters through the course of the day.
A couple of Peregrine Falcons made an appearance very high overhead as did a couple of Bald Eagles.  We saw many Bald Eagle throughout the day, but no Golden.  I was sure that a Golden would put in an appearance!

Next stop was Grand Bend Lagoons.  This set of sewage ponds is a favourite of birders and often visited.  It did not disappoint as we saw a large variety of ducks and two species of desirable grebe!  A Red-necked Grebe was swimming around and came in close to see what we were up to.

On the far side of cell 3, an Eared Grebe was spotted!  It was actually a year bird for many including myself.  Too far away for a photo though.

We saw about 15 species of ducks including two female Long-tailed.

Mike Nelson caught a glimpse of a gray and white bird low and working the edge.  I thought likely a Northern Shrike.  Sure enough it came out and perched atop a tree.  First for the fall!
We also saw the first American Tree Sparrows of the fall there.  A good number there.

Loons were seen overhead here as well.  I saw many more loons (and grebes) than at Pelee yesterday!

We then went into Pinery Provincial Park.  It was somewhat quiet, but we saw a few birds including a Tufted Titmouse at the VC.  Feeders were not stocked yet and the weather too nice, so few birds.  As well, it is not a finch year.  Pinery is often good for finches in the fall and winter.

We walked along the river and noted Swamp Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows and more Tree Sparrows.  Some caught a glimpse of a Common Merganser in the reeds.
Next stop was Burley Bridge in the park were we saw a pair of Bald Eagles putting on a show.  Their nest can be seen from the bridge.

After a drive through Port Franks, we went over to Ipperwash.  A few Cedar Waxwings were seen along the way.  On the beach we stopped to look at the lake.  Ipperwash Beach is unique as you can drive on it for most of its length.  Some more scoters and gulls were seen.
At the rock outcrop, while hoping for Purple Sandpiper, Sean Jenniskens noticed a female Wood Duck in a pool.  It blended in quite well!

Can you see the duck?

At the south end of the beach more scoters and Bald Eagles were seen.  A Horned Grebe was also far out.  Maris Apse managed to pick out a flock of Snow Buntings coming off the lake towards the point.  Another first for the fall!

We then went over to Kettle Point (the actual point) and took a look.  It was a bit quiet there.  This spot can be good on a NW or north wind for gulls and jaegers.  Winds were not right today though.

The day was waning, so many birders left after this.
This particular outing is often excellent and lots of fun.  19 species of ducks today is a good haul.  We have had good birds in the past as well.

Pelee: Birding in the Wind

A crazy SW wind developed overnight so I headed down to Point Pelee.  Sustained winds over 50 km/h made things interesting at the Tip.

"Where is that Little Gull?"

On the drive down to the Tip the road was littered with branches, leaves and Hermit Thrushes.  All along the way, Hermit Thrushes popped up. By the time I parked at the Tip, I estimated around 140.  More on the trail to the Tip too!

Well, it was nuts at this morning.  Tens of thousands of birds were moving down the east side and heading out somewhere.  Did not look at the west side as we were behind the trees on the east beach.
It was a big day for Red-breasted Mergansers and Bonaparte's Gulls.  During the five hours there, they were constantly going by, and still going by when we left.


I tend to underestimate things, but at least 3500 Bonaparte's Gulls went by, and those were the close ones.  Not a single rarity with them!  At one point we did see an adult Little Gull go by the Tip.
Perhaps 30,000 Red-breasted Mergansers went by as well.  Other ducks included about 28 Black Scoters, but only a few Surf and White-winged.  Some Bufflehead, Black Duck, one Long-tailed and of course about 3000 scaup.
Loons and grebes were scarce with only 4 Common Loons and about 8 Horned Grebes that I noticed.
The only shorebird was a Sanderling that came down the east side, rounded the Tip and headed west into the wind.
Besides the Little Gull, an apparent hybrid Herring X Great Black-backed Gull adult sat on the Tip for a while as well as Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 first cycle and one adult).

Karl Overman stopped by for a while and commented on the good number of passerines in the park.  In the warbler department he came across a female American Redstart and a Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Lots of Yellow-rumped, kinglets and Hermit Thrushes were around. On the way back from the Tip, we had a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Several Eastern Phoebes were around too.
De Laurier parking lot had lots of sparrow--mainly juncos and chippies.

I watched for swallows, but none were in the park it seems.  However, several Tree Swallows were at Wheatley Harbour and all along the lake to Cedar Springs.

I headed over to Erieau after Pelee and Tree Swallows seemed to be migrating all along the lakeshore.  I had counted around 200.  Also had one buffy swallow that I only got a glimpse.  It is Cave Swallow season, so we have to watch for those now!
Erieau had a number of bonies, but again nothing rare.  Jim Burk could not find anything there either save for a young Little Gull.  I guess all those gulls are at Long Point!

Week-End

A rather uneventful week here.  Days are just getting way too short!
Some sort of ibis was in the Rondeau marsh back on Monday, but nothing heard since.  Also on Monday Arctic Terns wer reported by Tom Hince north of Port Huron.  Was again present on Tuesday morning.

I went up to Sarnia early Tuesday, but the winds were wrong (again).  There was a mass of gulls, etc. in the distance about where Tom had the terns, but obviously too far away from our vantage point. The tern was there though!
It was a clear day but things were very far out.  Lots of bonies out there and only one large flock came in close.  At one point a flock was moving west and I was pretty certain I had a Sabine's Gull.  It banked twice and I saw the upperside of the wings that were indicative of Sabine's. Size of course same as bonie.

There has not really been a good wind up there since September oddly enough.  A few things have gone through, but the winds certainly have not co-operated.

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evening at Mitchell's Bay

Checked Mitchell's Bay a couple of times this week, including this evening.  I think last Sunday was the last time the godwits were present.  No reports since anyway.  Lots of ducks moving out on the lake and a few flocks of Canada Geese dodging the wind turbines.

Forgot to mention, a Bank Swallow came flying into the shop at Port Lambton this afternoon.  Was a bit surprising!

Coming up a year ago we were treated to once in a lifetime spectacle with the remnants of hurricane Sandy!

kittygull

Lakewatch at Point Pelee!

Things did not turn out as well as yesterday it seems.  There was a strong WSW wind, but nothing was on the west side of the Tip of Point Pelee.  Everything seemed to come down the east side.  The wind was supposed to be SW, but you know how that goes!
I was joined this morning by Brandon Holden who abandoned his condo watch!

The most interesting bird was this pigeon which came in and landed beside us.  It had a leg band with a number and words saying Union Club Mexico.

There were six species of gulls--the usual ones you would expect.  One young Little Gull appeared at the Tip at one point (did not see it fly in).  One first cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull flew in as well.
A few Common Loons went by in the distance (7 in total) and Horned Grebes totalled about 11.  All three scoters were seen including one Black and two White-winged.  There were several Surf.
A couple dozen Ruddy Ducks were around too.
The only shorebirds were Dunlin (I counted 28 total).
A Peregrine made an appearance at one point as did an Osprey and a Northern Harrier.

Tomorrow could be good at the Tip as a 40km/h SW wind is predicted.  But, as usual, it is a weekday!

Not many butterflies today, but I did see one Common Buckeye and this Mourning Cloak.

Stopped at Wheatley Harbour as well.  Tons of gulls and cormorants!  Three Lesser Black-backed in total.  One Greater Yellowlegs down the shoreline.

I stopped in at Mitchell's Bay on the way home, and sure enough the two Marbled Godwits were in the usual spot.  I had thought they had left, but no.  The one has been present for over a month!

It will be interesting to see how long it stays.  Usually Hudsonian Godwits linger longer in the fall.
Not sure what the latest date for these is in Ontario, but it is getting late!  Maybe some kind of record will be set here.

Lakewatch at Rondeau!

I was a bit unsure what to do today, but headed down to Rondeau.  I knew it was the weekend since it was threatening rain and did rain a better part of the day!  However, turned out I spent many hours watching the lake on the east side of Rondeau.
I started on south point trail as usual, and took a look of the lake off the light beacon.  Before I reached the beach, I noticed a large raptor-like bird coming in from way out on the lake. As it got closer, I said to myself it looks much like an owl. Sure enough it was a Short-eared Owl!

They often fly over the lake this time of year when migrating.  We have seen them up at Sarnia come in off the lake in the past.  Off to a good start!

As I watched birds moving over the lake, I realized it was a day for a big movement of loons, grebes, ducks and gulls.  The first large flock of bonies I looked at had two adult Little Gulls.  But Common Loons and Horned Grebes were constantly moving by.  As well, hundreds of scaup and other ducks were moving.
I really needed a scope!  So I went back to the car taking a short cut along the forest edge. In the process, I inadvertently flushed the Short-eared Owl.

I decide to go to Dog Beach just up the road for a better vantage point.  By then things were toning down, but still lots to see.  By the time I was done there, I had at least 150 Common Loons and 135 Horned Grebes.  That was a conservative estimate.  A Peregrine stirred things up at one point.
Gulls and ducks were numerous too but nothing stuck out.  Surf and Black Scoters were moving as well.
I went back to south point for a walk.  Sort of the same deal as last week, but fewer species.  Besides Palm and Yellow-rumped there was one Nashville Warbler.

On the way back it rained, but I watched the lake again at the light beacon.  One Red-throated Loon was added here.
I noticed today there was a big movement of Tree Swallows.

With constant rain, I decided to head out of the park and watch from the car where Rose Beach Line hits the lake.  Wow....hundreds more birds on the lake!
At the little park I took watch and there was a group of 100+ Common Loons and 50+ Horned Grebes right there.  I also picked out a Red-necked.  Things were constantly moving and there were hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls and other common gulls.
Along this stretch of road I added an additional 75 Common Loons and 50+ Horned Grebes.  Lots of ducks including Ruddy too.
I checked Erieau as well, but nothing of note there. (A Black-legged Kittiwake was observed on Thursday). **The end of the road at the pier is blocked off due to breakwall repair, so you cannot get close.
Despite the wet weather, it was interesting to watch the lake for a change.

By the way, I went out to Mitchell's Bay last evening.  I did not see the godwits, so perhaps they have finally left?

Sunset off Mitchell's Bay

Mago Twins at the Bay

The days are getting too short!  I took a quick trip out to "The Bay" as locals call it, this evening to see if the godwits were still present.  I did not see any at first, the but the two Marbled Godwits flew in.  There was a very brisk onshore wind so the water level was up and little mudflat was showing.  I saw no sign of Hugo.  Some Dunlin and a Greater Yellowlegs were present.  Not an egret to be seen!

Yesterday was a pleasant day (must have been a weekday).  Mike Bouman got out in the kayak and obtained some stellar shots of the godwits.

Also present was this Pectoral.

I am appreciative to Mike for letting me post these photos!

This evening I also walked the lakeshore trail.  I hit the right time as all the hundreds of geese were flying in and setting down the adjacent field.  Amongst them were three Snow Geese in the failing light.

A number of birds were hiding in the shrubbery.  The only warbler I managed to see was a Blackpoll.  Here is a Marsh Wren from the other day.

Another shot of a not so elusive clubtail.

Cornucopia of Kinglets and Clubtails

This weekend certainly saw a mass movement of kinglets, especially Ruby-crowned. They were everywhere including corn fields, marshes, yards, ditches....

nanna-nanna-nanna!

Yesterday I made a long walk out marsh trail at Rondeau.  Of course the most abundant bird was Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Lots of sparrows too.  I was hoping for Nelson's Sparrow and managed to get a glimpse of one in a usual locale past the half way point.  There were lots of Swamp Sparrows to sort through in the reeds.
Other than Common Yellowthroat (2) I only saw Yellow-rumped Warblers in that family.

I checked out some other spots in the park, but the most interesting bird was a Common Raven flying south over Lakeshore Road.  It is the time of year when the odd one is seen moving through southwestern Ontario.
It was not a good day for photography though!  Birds were skittish and clouds most of the morning did not help (yes, it was Sunday!).

Today was cooler but much nicer.  I decided to check out Mitchell's Bay and area.   Needless to say the three godwits were still present at first light.  I also stopped by on the way back, and there they were!  The marbleds have been very active moving from one end of the mudflat to the other in short order.

three godwits!

I also walked the Lakeshore Trail and, yes, there were dozens of Ruby-crowned Kinglets.  All kinds of sparrows too, including the first Fox of the fall.



I then went on to St. Clair NWA.  Thousands of ducks and geese were in the marsh, flying around or coming into the marsh.  It was rather neat just to watch the spectacle for over an hour on the tower.

 At one point a huge flock of several hundred geese came in from the east.  A few Snows were with it.  Most of the geese were coming from that direction, so lighting was bad in the sun.

researchers in the marsh

At the tower, some land birds were moving through, including this Hermit Thrush.  It hung around for some time.

Marsh Hermit

I did go as far as Lighthouse Cove, but found nothing of note.  Too much activity on this holiday Monday!

This afternoon it was warm enough to check for insects. A Pearl Crescent came in to the yard, so I went out to Port Lambton and found a number of butterflies.

American Painted-Lady

Common Painted-Lady

Rather late for a Silver-spotted!

Eastern Tailed-Blue (several today)

I also was a bit surprised to find some clubtail dragonflies.  I had never noted this type before, so I took lots of photos.  Looks like they are the Elusive Clubtail.  I saw about four of them in the gardens.  Seems kind of late, but I do not know much about them.  Certainly did not expect to see these today!

A Black-legged Kittiwake, Red-throated Loon and Red-necked Grebe were reported at Sarnia today.  The wind was a bit light out of the NNE.  I opted to pass on that location, but I will wait for a better wind!